Chapter Eighty-Five What?

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  "General Yang, the rebels are indeed cutting down a large number of trees and bamboos to make bamboo and wooden rafts. They are preparing to use these rafts to fill up the moat and launch a massive attack on the city!" Wang Silie personally reported the situation he had investigated to Yang Hui and asked for instructions on how to arrange and respond next.

  "There's nothing to be afraid of, there are already over 30,000 soldiers inside Tongguan City, and they have been rested. Even if the rebels attack again, we don't need to fear!" Yang Hui walked to the window of the city gate tower, looking at the rebel soldiers lined up outside under the scorching sun, a scornful smile appeared on his lips, and he ordered Wang Silie: "General Wang, prepare more hay and hot oil, we will use these things to welcome An Qingxu and Cui Qianyou. Cui Qianyou may be able to taste the flavor of burning again! I hope An Qingxu brings all 10 million soldiers, this commander wants to see who laughs last!"

  Yang Kai's proud demeanor infected Wang Silie, who also became very confident and replied with his chest out: "General, I will definitely fight bravely when the time comes and not let any rebel soldier set foot on Tongguan City!"

  After Du Hua, Zhang Jian and Zheng Ang arrived at Tongguan one after another, there were more than 30,000 soldiers and horses in Tongguan. Yang Hui did not let Du Hua, Zhang Jian and Zheng Ang lead the army alone, but instead reorganized this army and put them under the command of Wang Silie, Pang Zhong, Li Chengguang, Tian Liangqiu, Gao Shi and other generals. Wang Silie's men had already reached 10,000 people, Yang Hui trusted him so much that he didn't have any guard against him. When Wang Silie was moved by this, a sense of pride arose in his heart. He must prove his ability with practical actions to show that Yang Hui's appreciation and trust in him were not wrong.

  Yang Kai walked up to Wang Silie, gazing at him coldly. This was the same general who had been extremely hostile towards his father just a few days ago, and had even looked down on him. He spoke in a very serious tone: "General Wang, I know that when the Lingbao army was defeated, you led the vanguard but did nothing. If you return to the capital now, the Emperor will definitely punish you severely! But I also know that you are a rare and valuable general, and this defeat was purely an accident. I don't want you to be punished by the imperial court, and the best way to avoid punishment is to fight bravely against the enemy, using your military achievements to offset your guilt. I hope that in the end, the imperial court will not only not punish you, but will even reward you!"

  Yang Kai's words made Wang Silie's heart skip a beat, and he also felt a pang of melancholy. However, he still stood up straight, and in a low growl said: "Please be assured, General, I will do my utmost to defend the city, and swear to share life and death with Tongguan!"

  "If the rebels retreat after being defeated in front of Tongguan City, I will personally request to His Majesty to pardon you and allow you to continue serving with honor." Yang Hui looked at Wang Silie, who was half a head taller than him, and finally cracked a smile: "I have always admired heroes and hope to become one myself. I also hope that General Wang can give me a chance to change my impression of him!"

  "I will not disappoint the commander-in-chief!" Wang Silie roared again to express his determination, and respectfully gave Yang Hui a military salute. "Commander-in-chief, I'll go arrange the military affairs first, you rest for a while!"

  Yang Hui had not yet responded when a military officer hastily reported that Zuo Longwu's general Chen Xuanli led his troops of 30,000 men and had already arrived at the west gate of Tongguan, five miles outside.

  "Finally arrived!" Yang Hui sighed softly, and said to Wang Silie who stopped in his tracks after hearing the news: "General Wang, as soon as you finish arranging military affairs, go to the west gate with General Pang and General Gao. Follow me and Commander Gesu to welcome General Chen's reinforcements!"

  "Yes, Marshal! The subordinate will obey orders!" Wang Silie said, and then gave a military salute again, and walked away with big strides.

  Yang Jie immediately went to ask Geshu Han, letting this old general, whose military achievements completely overshadowed Chen Xuanli, go with him to welcome the three million reinforcements.

  Chen Xuanli led a force of about 30,000 men, and the last more than 10,000 infantrymen still didn't know when they could arrive at Tongguan.

  Yang Hui accompanied Ge Shuhan, who was inconvenient to move, towards the west gate. Before long, Wang Silie and Pang Zhong, Gao Shi arrived one after another. Other generals were waiting for orders on the city wall to prevent the rebels from attacking the city at this time.

  It was just past noon, and the soldiers had finished their rest and eaten their lunch. If the rebels were to attack the city at this time, all the soldiers could go up to the city head to kill the enemy. Yang Hui did not worry when he went to meet Chen Xuanli, the rebels began a large-scale attack on the city.

  He was worried that Chen Xuanli's arrival would cause the military to become disordered, and that the newly arrived 30,000 troops would not listen to his command and make things worse.

  The western gate opened, and Yang Guozhong accompanied Ge Shuhan, bringing Wang Silie, Pang Zhong, Gao Shi, and his own 300 personal guards to go out of the city to welcome Chen Xuanli's army. Chen Xuanli brought Vice General Fan Zhencheng and other officials to arrive at Tongguan City first.

  "General Chen Xuanli, the newly appointed military governor of Tongguan, has arrived to meet with Generals Geshu and Yang!" Chen Xuanli remained on horseback, bowing his head in greeting to Geshu Han and Yang Gui, "The weather is extremely hot, and yesterday's sudden rainstorm delayed our journey. I apologize for the late arrival of my troops, and I beg your pardon, Generals Geshu and Yang!"

  "General Chen has finally arrived at Tongguan with his troops, Tongguan is saved! The rebels will never be able to break through Tongguan again! General Chen and all the other generals have been working hard, they should take a rest now. The rebels may launch a large-scale attack soon!" Yang Hui's face was filled with a very relieved smile, like a lost child who had found their family, he said excitedly: "Tongguan has just gone through several bloody battles, the defenders were insufficient, and the city almost fell to the rebels. Now that General Chen has arrived with his three thousand troops, there will be no more difficulties!"

  "General Yang is being polite!" Chen Xuanli was a bit stunned that Yang Hui would be so polite, and could only force himself to say some polite words.

  But Yang Jie, who was behind Wang Silie, couldn't help but burst out in anger, pointing his finger and accusing: "General Chen, why did your troops arrive at Tongguan so late? General Dou Hua, General Zhang Jian, and General Zheng Ang's troops all arrived at Tongguan ahead of time. If it weren't for their troops arriving at Tongguan, the city might have already been occupied by the rebels! Is General Chen intentionally slowing down his march? Does he want us all to die at Tongguan?"

  Chen Xuanli deliberately slowed down the progress, which was already known to all the soldiers in Tongguan City. Wang Silie, who was straightforward, saw that Chen Xuanli was not very respectful to Geshu Han and Yang Hui after his arrival, and could not help but rebuke him. He was a Korean, and had always been straightforward. Now he also held the position of Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Taichang Gong Tong Zhengyuan, and Yuanshuai Fu Ma Jun Dujun, with a rank that was not lower than Chen Xuanli's, so he dared to speak out and rebuke him.

  Wang Silie's blunt rebuke immediately dispelled the joyful atmosphere that had just existed, and Chen Xuanyu and the various generals behind him all changed their expressions.

  At this moment, a soldier who was delivering an urgent military report rushed to Yang's face on horseback and loudly reported: "General Yang, the imperial court has issued an emergency decree!"

  When Yang Gui heard the military officer's report of the imperial edict, his heart stirred, but he still took over the edict sealed with red wax and opened it to read.

  At a glance, he was completely relieved, and everything was as expected. His capable father had eliminated his worries for him!

  He immediately handed the imperial edict in his hand to Chen Xuanli, and said calmly: "The emperor's urgent decree, there is a riot of refugees in Chang'an City, and troops are needed to suppress it. Please ask General Chen to hand over the military affairs after receiving the imperial decree, and hurry back to Chang'an!"

  "What?" Chen Xuanyi was shocked and disbelieving as he took over the imperial decree, carefully examining it.